Alaskan Grizzly

I know. It was heavy sarcasm mixed with early morning dementia that made me post that. Lol. I was just emphasizing that he's been playing for what seems like forever. One thing i did find in reading up on him was that his former coach, Fox, mistakenly listed him as the actress "Rosario Dawson". *wikipedia. Poor guy, can't even get the coach to get it right.

He's gotta be getting close to retiring. He's been around 'the block' a few times. Recall when he played for the Panthers back in the '80s, he wasnt too bad. But since, not so much. Im guessing the team isn't settled on TE yet. I equate him to The recently released Pope (former 1st round and who they gave up less for). Must think he's able to contribute if they gave up 7th round. I sure wish thy could get Olsen back.

PREACH!!!!

This. Having Forte as a factor will be a BIG help in the overall pass game. I know the Marshall hip omen could be all hype, but something about it is unsettling. That may be a bigger issue in the long run..... But I will agree having a large targets (as a whole) will help the WR corps. Regardless of experience. The blend of experience with Marshall and yes Alshon will help the younger group. I'd give this group a B- grade going into the 1st game.

The main topic of this thread was to be able to proclaim something you KNOW about this team. But you were passive in your remarks, thus not totally convinced. Here's what I KNOW about this team, from the "devil's advocate" position. Marc Trestman is the head coach: How long ago was he last in the NFL? Where was he coaching before? Why was he not in the NFL the last 15 (?) years? Jay Cutler is the Quarterback: When was the last time, or only time, when Jay approached "elite" status? 2008. The year he made the Pro Bowl. Since then he's been a better version of Rex Grossman. The interception laden Dr Jekyll for a game or two then the pro-bowl caliber Mr Hyde the next. The Chicago Defense: Sure they are one year removed from the record setting team of 2012. The key players on the team; Briggs, Tillman and Peppers are all in their 30's. And no matter how you slice it, neither DJ Williams or Jon Bostic are Urlacher. Could they be? Perhaps. So far we've seen nothing of Williams and although we've seen FLASHES of greatness from Bostic, we've seen more of his humanity than not. The offensive line is almost 50% rookie. Is that bad? Not necessarily but its not a resounding "I KNOW" they will be stellar. B. Marshall: Is struggling with his hip surgery recovery. Will it matter during the season? Probably not, but why else was it even brought up? Did we really need to even know it? M. Bennett: I'm tired of "hoping" and "hearing" he's the solution to the TE position. People tell me he WILL be fine, I'm not so sure. He's inconsistent. The only time he's been productive was when Eli Manning was throwing to him. And Jay Cutler is no Eli. Phil Emery is the second coming: Ok, maybe that one's a little over the top but so far what has his last two recruit classes done so far? As of today, most have done little. So to equate them (Emery and Trestman) to what Ditka and Buddy did in the mid-80's is a little over-hyped. There are too many uncertainties to KNOW that this team will excel.

Interesting post, since you don't seem to have much conviction in your thoughts (more on that in a moment). I wouldn't go as far as saying this staff is as good as it was when Ditka and Buddy were with the team. Nothing's been done yet...just some intriguing personnel moves. And a 2-2 preseason record...against some garbage teams. Interesting that you left "bad" as an option. Here's where things get a little dicey in your post.... All the words bolded are 'passive' remarks. Meaning you don't believe what you wrote. If you did you would have said "This offense WILL..." and "...WHEN Cutler plays..." but there are too many unknowns to make bold predictions.The one that you did was that Peppers "will get double digit sacks". This I agree with. The rest, not so much. I mean if we really have to ask how well the team will perform against the Cinncinnati Bengals, then maybe we should wait until the game is actually played.

And you're right. The childish remarks do come off as boorish, but sometimes 'you just have to choose your battles'. Its something I have to tell my wife to do with my youngest all the time. But I'm just as guilty as some here, similar to what Mad Lith said. I've come off as arrogant and prickish, especially after a Bears loss where I've had too many libations, but most here don't seem to hold a grudge despite my best efforts. Except maybe Terra Tor (speaking of characters that are MIA). Most of the folks here are all genuinely in support of the team and many will share your feelings but not comment. In fact I wouldn't be surprsied that many 'members' still come in from time to time just to see whats going on, catch up on Bears news and not leave a comment.

Ouch. He's worth zilch to any other team. With his injury history he's barley hanging on in Chicago. If not for the link to Cutler I think he'd be done.

Of the three McCown is the only one with experience 'on the team' and Trestmans offense. And FWIW I think fundementally he's more consistent than even Cutler. Of Palmer and Edwards though, I'm intrigued by both. Youth is on Palmers side where experience is on Edwards'. Game 4 will be their determining factor.

Is this who Jay was referring to some weeks ago when he said "not everyone was on board" with the new offense?

Agreed. The one thing I don't want Trestman to do is 'wait and see' if Onubun is going to work out or not. Practice and game time are two different experiences. And if Fendi is cracking under pressure during pre-season, then he's got no place on the team for the regular season. Game 4 will be telling for him. Between he and Adams at this point, my vote would be Adams. Over Maneri? Not sure yet. And FWIW, I'd still like to see Bennett (the TE) do something convincing that he belongs. I know it won't happen this week but maybe he'll get one or two plays in(?)

Adams has shown some promise in the last year or so. He's not been premiere but probably worthy of looking at. Moreso than Onubun. Why would the team use him as a "decoy"? He hasn't caught one pass yet. And other teams are watching the same film we are.

Well despite my rooting for Pope I didn't see him do anything to raise his stock. He truly has turned into a bust, oh well. Now the question is does the team have that much faith in Bennett to be able to do what he should be, which is catching passes? And I'm bummed about Aromashadu. Thought he'd work out this time around. Maybe it means the younger guys are doing well enough to make it? Here's to hoping

Reading the tea leaves aside; 'you say tomayto I say tomahto. You have to ask yourself why he was a starter for only one year?

I understand what you said, my counter was that I'm not so sure Bennett will be 'all that'. Since he hasn't done anything of note yet. And that he and Pope are currently on the same level, as far as productivity... with this team. Speaking of... When I say 'benchmark' I mean it in the sense of as a measure of how the respective players have done over their career. The quote you provided said that Bennett did at least make 250 yards receiving one year where Pope hasn't even done that much. I said that since it appears you were using 200+ yards as the measuring stick (benchmark) of productivity - at least for TE's - then the Bears should have stayed with Kellen Davis, since he received 200 yards in two consecutive seasons. I hope that whomever the TE ends up being the "one" gets way more than 250 yards receiving in the year. Will it be Bennett or Pope or some other unknown? Still remains to be seen. So far NO TE has stepped forward to show that they deserve to be "..a part of every game plan." As far as your understanding of Pope, and for what its worth, I think you might have a pretty good first hand perspective since he played in Arizona for a bit. Who knows, maybe he'll 'rise to the occasion'? And as far as I'm concerned Romo is douche. I'm glad Jerry Jones blew all his dough on him, they deserve each other. Here's to the new season.

Speaking of the nickel spot saw that DJ Moore had a 'pick six' last night for Carolina against Flacco and the Ravens. Hear he's been doing nicely over there.

That's not necessarily a slam dunk in Bennett's defense but ok. Heck if we were to consider 200 yds as a benchmark then the team should have kept Davis, he did it twice in consecutive years (2011 and 2012). And we all know how good a player he was. Something else to consider is there is a better player looming large in Bennett's way, that being BM. Where Witten was the target emeritus in Dallas so too is Marshall in Chicago. And, I might add, Cutler is no Eli Manning. I dare say (as much as it pains me) nor is he Romoesque. But enough of the blasphemy from me, I'm looking forward to what awaits us in this year. I'm guarded in my excitement and reserving judgement for later in the season. I hope Im wrong and Bennett does excel then we'll all be happy and you'll be right. I look forward to tomorrow nights game to see some pieces fall into place. Maybe that'll take the edge off my pessism...just a little.

Devil's advocate: He hasn't done anything yet to prove that he will be "a part of every game plan", not with Chicago. I could make the same arguement for Leonard Pope. BUT, you are more than likely right that he (Bennett) will end up being an integral part of the team. I'm always suspect during pre-season games with teams doing their vanilla plays that they aren't going to show their hand at least until week 1 of the regular season. My hope is that is why we haven't seen much from him yet.

I'm not 'sold' on Bennet just yet BUT (and directing to your comment in bold) we all saw how Brandon Marshall has evolved. Before he came to Chicago (especially in Denver) he had a pretty ill reputation, but since being in Chicago nothing but positive has come from the guy. I strongly suspect that BM's influence will have something to do with Bennet's being a part (or not) of the offense.

The problem is technology. The 'tradition' of football is slowly being degraded because of miniscule observations by the 'armchair QB's'. As Chitown pointed out there is some blame to the older players too, but not as much IMHO. Ever since the evolution of Instant Replay a play can be determined by a blade of grass being white or green (when determining someone out of bounds or not). And in this case we can sit and look at a play frame by frame and in an instant determine the legitamacy of a hit where the player has less than a heartbeat to make that same choice. Not only do we over evaluate things like this, we find ourselves adding more time (for the game to be played) and more layers of rules into the game. I'm all for safety but like Chitown also added, they know what they are getting into when they join. They are paid handsomely for it...let them play. Its times like this I miss Art Donovan.

Briggs would make for a decent defense attorney. Comparing Bostic's hit to how Keller was injured was a good illustration of how the guys are having to think about their tackles more. To avoid the 'fine induced' upper body hits, instead they target for the legs/feet. Thus risking injuries similar to what Keller suffered. Bostic's hit was about as legal as they come. Way to stick up for him Lance.

I'm not a fan of either proposed dates as they are in the middle of the week and your 'early evening' is probably my afternoon. But if I'm in the minority then I'll do auto draft. My keeper will be Trent Richardson.

Wow...very eerily looks like a few shots from the '80s. I'd have to say it would be cool seeing "Da Coach" roaming the sidelines again. Maybe an 'inpsirational leader' of sorts? Probably motivated the players that have only read about him in history books. That helps in my support of Trestman.

So how do you explain pick #14 overall in 2008 (Chris Williams) and #29 in 2011 (Carimi)? These two were not touted soley by Angelo alone. Most of the "talking heads" had both rated high during their respective draft classes. Is it simply a case of being snake bit twice? I agree that Lovie could (and maybe should) have said more, but again Offense was not his forte. Trying to help his buds (Martz, Tice and Babich as examples) and taking their word was his downfall. As far as "busts" go, the jury is still out on Long. Two preseason games does not a career make. Ironically enough though for all the hype that Williams and Carimi garnered during their draft years, Long did not. In fact those "talking heads" were first to question the pick. So maybe, just maybe you have to go against conventional wisdom in order to succeed. Again, time will tell.

Just because... bolded could be wrong. History shows it can happen: (From Wikipedia) •Roger Staubach backed up Craig Morton for the first few games of the 1971 season and the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI with Staubach. •Terry Bradshaw was in and out of the starting role his first few years. He lost the job to Joe Gilliam in the 1974 preseason but after re-taking it led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl IX. •Jim Plunkett started out 1980 backing up Dan Pastorini and went on to win Super Bowl XV with the Raiders. •Doug Williams only started two games in 1987 and lost them both. Joe Gibbs made him the starter for the playoffs over Jay Schroeder anyway and he won Super Bowl XXII. •Jeff Hostetler took over for Phil Simms on the 1990 Giants after an injury and started each playoff game and Super Bowl XXV. •Trent Dilfer backed up Tony Banks to start off 2000, but took over halfway through the season and rode Ray Lewis to victory in Super Bowl XXXV. •Tom Brady was the second-stringer for Drew Bledsoe in early 2001 but after Mo Lewis knocked Bledsoe out for the season Brady came back to win Super Bowl XXXVI I know the law of averages is against it, but 'never say never'. Heck, Hanie came close to doing it in 2010. If the team/management have as much faith in Trestman's ability, AND Cutler doesn't work out then maybe...just maybe...all is not lost if "Cutler is not the answer."